Monee Reservoir's 46-acre lake provides a beautiful site for the family to enjoy a half-hour, an hour, or a full day relaxing in a boat. Boats are rented at Monee Reservoir on a first-come, first-served basis and are available April 1 - October 31. Fishing is permitted from a rowboat. Trolling motors are allowed on rental rowboats. Pedal boats are another way to tour the lake and its surroundings, and are rented by the half-hour. With all watercraft rentals, life vests, oars, and paddles are included. A $20 cash deposit is required on all boat rentals. Renters must be 18 years old and have a valid driver's license or state ID. A $20 late fee will be charged if boats are not returned by 5:00 p.m. in April and September 15 - October 31, or 7:00 p.m. May 1 - September 14. For more information, visit the Boating page.

We offer a number of sites where you can pitch a tent, light a fire, and camp the night away. Camping permits may be obtained at the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher, and Monee Reservoir in Monee. For more information and a list of camping locations, visit the Camping page.

Monee Reservoir's 46-acre lake provides a beautiful site for you to enjoy an hour, half-day, or a full day exploring in a canoe or kayak. Boats are rented on a first-come, first-served basis and are available April 1 - October 31. With a rental, life vests, oars, and paddles are included. A $20 late fee will be charged if boats are not returned by 5:00 p.m. in April and September 15 - October 31, or 7:00 p.m. May 1 - September 14.

If you have your own canoe or kayak you would like to use in Monee Reservoir, you can obtain a daily launch pass or a seasonal launch pass. All persons in a canoe/kayak must wear a personal flotation device at all times. For more information, visit the Canoeing/Kayaking page.

Our dog parks feature fenced areas where owners can let their dogs run free. A permit is required to use the parks. Dog park permits may be obtained at the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher, or Monee Reservoir in Monee, or by downloading the dog park brochure and mailing in the application form with fee. For more information, visit the Dog Park page.

We offer fishing opportunities at a number of sites free of charge. At Monee Reservoir, even a rookie angler can get in on the action by purchasing a one-day or annual Illinois fishing license, and renting a fishing pole. But dipping your own line in the water is always free, as long as you have the proper licensing. For more information, visit the Fishing page.

Geocaching is a high-tech treasure hunting activity that is growing in popularity. Placement of a geocache in a forest preserve requires a permit, which may be obtained at the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet. Placement restrictions apply. For more information, visit the Geocaching page.

Picnic permits are required for groups of 25 or more or for those wishing to reserve a particular picnic site. Certain activities are subject to approval and may require additional fees, including the use of a generator, moon walk, dunk tank, 20 x 20 or larger tent, or picnic table relocation. Picnic permits must be obtained in person at the Sugar Creek Administration Center in Joliet, Isle a la Cache Museum in Romeoville, Plum Creek Nature Center in Beecher, or Monee Reservoir in Monee. Call 815.727.8700 for picnic site availability. To reserve the shelter at Four Rivers Environmental Education Center, call 815.722.9470. For more information, visit the Picnicking page.

Goodenow Grove offers a sledding hill which opens when conditions are favorable for sledding. Those looking for winter fun can bring their own sleds, or rent an inner tube for use on the hill. For more information, visit the Sledding page.

Monee Reservoir offers 2.5 miles of hiking trail that is perfect for snowshoeing during the winter months. Visitors to the preserve can bring their own snowshoes or rent a pair from the concession building near the lake. For more information, visit the Snowshoeing page.